Animal utilities

The utilities of animals, 1990.
Limited facsimile edition, copy 134/995.
Notarized certificate attached.
Leather binding. Two volumes.
Measurements: 28 x 19 x 7 cm.

This exquisite facsimile edition reproduces one of the most relevant Arabic codices of the Royal Library of El Escorial: The book of the utilities of animals, known as ms. Arabic 898, by Ibn al-Durayhim al-Mawsili.

The figure of Philip II stands out for his vision in valuing the scientific wealth of Arab culture, compiling a vast collection of codices from the Muslim world at El Escorial. As Arias Montano suggested, the knowledge of Europe between the 13th and 17th centuries depended to a great extent on Arabic texts, which motivated the king to include them in his royal library, despite the fact that in his time their use and understanding were limited.

Although the fire of 1671 destroyed approximately 2,500 Arabic codices, about 2,000 survive today, among the most outstanding being the Qur'an of Muley Zaydan, ms. 1623 of the Hispano-Visigothic Councils and the magnificent copy of the Book of the Utilities of Animals (ms. 898), among others.

Ibn al-Durayhim al-Mawsili completed his work in 1354 (755 H), as indicated in the colophon of the manuscript, in which the author refers to his "marvelous and rare arts" and "perfect and amazing engravings" made by himself. It is known that only one copy of this work exists, which is preserved in the Royal Library of El Escorial.

The codex attracted the attention of scholars such as Casiri and Derembourg, who described it in their catalogs of the monastery's Arabic collections. Casiri described it as an illustrated codex of great elegance, while Derembourg emphasized its quality as an excellent copy. In addition, specialists in Arabic painting have recognized its high artistic value.

The facsimile edition, published in 1990, is a numbered reproduction limited to 995 copies, each of which is notarized, making it of unique value to bibliophiles and scholars of Arab culture and its artistic legacy.